186.2 Christmas Memories and Tears of Happiness

I've written in the past about not being able to feel things, to not being able to respond with much emotion. Today I bawled, I sobbed, I cried, but nothing bad or sad had happened. I was listening to Here and Now on PRI and was overwhelmed with memories of things past while hearing the segment on holiday choral music. Robin Young, the anchor, had her high school choral director from many years ago on the show with his choices for best holiday choral works. He's Jewish and joked about how he's the Jew who loves Christmas music most.
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/12/19/christmas-choir-music

Just hearing this music brought back so many memories of my time singing in choirs all through junior and senior high school in Palo Alto, California with our dear choir director, Marjorie Klein.

My sister Priscilla with husband Phil are here already as our family begins to gather for Christmas. As I get older, I realize that it is memories not gifts that really make Christmas special. Here we go ~ and part of that are memories of delicious foods that are special to the holiday. This year I'm into enjoying small amounts of wonderful food. I've really learned that beating myself up about what I eat isn't helpful. Being mindful and grateful is the way to go.

176.4. Trying to Make Sense of It!

Sometimes I wonder whether it's me or everyone else. Food issues aren't all consuming on this trip but I am trying to stay the course. So the other night we ended up at a little tavern as it called itself and after wading through myriad hamburger variations, pizza choices, wraps, sandwiches, and so on, I settled on what was listed as the bunless burger with a small green salad. Sounds like a decent choice, right? Well, I thought so and just laughed out loud when it was placed in front of me. Yes, the burger was bunless but I could hardly see it because it was overwhelmed by enough French fries to solve the hunger problem in America! Wouldn't you think that someone who wanted a bunless burger would also want to be in a French fry free zone?

My brother in law Phil sent this link to an interesting article that I want to share. The article and the video are worth the time.
http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/06/10-foods-that-drive-weight-gain-and-loss-identified-by-harvard/240933/

Susannah is thriving and once I can get to a computer rather than this iPad I'll post more pictures!